Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HORKEL, n. A tide-race, commotion in the sea (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1957).Sh. 1949 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 130:
The tide-races, of which there are many in Shetland, are roosts or horkels.
Adj. hork(a)li, hurkly, used of weather: rough, stormy (Sh. 1957).Sh. 1881 Williamson MSS.:
A hurkly simmer.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Horkli wadder, weather too rough for boat fishing; a horkli day; he is horkali-lookin', a storm is expected.
